The Royal wedding has Windsor properties under the spotlight - how is it for locals?

THERE'S bunting going up all over Windsor as residents get ready for their big moment on Saturday: the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel. True, the anticipation is reaching fever pitch worldwide but for the people of Windsor it's a much more personal event.

It's not just any prince who is getting married - it's their neighbour's grandson.

"Everybody knows that as far as the Queen is concerned the castle is home; she's a neighbour to everybody and there's a lot of warmth towards her," says Chris Littler, branch manager of Windsor's The Frost Partnership estate agents.

The Queen's not the only person who likes to call Windsor home: "It's a very pretty place to live; we are very lucky," says Chris.

"There are the most wonderful royal parks open to everybody that go on for miles around the town. You have got fabulous history and, if you hop over the Thames, a few minutes' walk away and you are in Eton, which is stunning."

Trains to London Paddington take around 30 minutes and, unusually, there are trains to Waterloo too.

The M3 and M4 are "on our doorstep", with Heathrow a 15-minute drive and the M25 six miles away.

Property prices are also lower than in the commuter heartlands of south-west London: "We are not a multi-million-pound town," says Chris.

"Prices start at £300,000 for a one-bedroom flat but most properties are Victorian terraced houses, which keeps prices down."

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The royal wedding has stoked the country's interest in Windsor to a new level

According to Emma Smith, director at Strutt & Parker, Ascot, the Windsor market between £700,000 and £900,000 is strong, although there are fewer homes for sale at the £700,000 mark.

"The key buyers are London ones needing good access to Heathrow and Gatwick plus railway networks," says Emma.

"There are more overseas buyers for the top end of the market and we expect to see this rise in the coming years, as many view Windsor in line with London as a safe haven.

"Furthermore Crossrail, in 2019, will be a fantastic addition for the commuter - particularly those needing to get to the City beyond Paddington."

Detached houses tend to sell for around the £1million mark and The Frost Partnership has Sutherland Grange, a three-bedroom bungalow that's been updated by an architect to offer ultra-stylish contemporary living, for sale at £1,100,000 (01753 833000; frostweb.co.uk).

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Windsor boasts some stunning views and is just a stones throw from Eton

It has river views and is set in communal gardens but also has its own private garden, a garage and parking.

Nick Wooldridge of Stacks Property Search puts the town's under-supply of homes down to the River Thames and Windsor Great Park: "They put a beneficial physical limitation on how far Windsor can be expanded," he explains.

"This also means that the supply of new-build property is limited."

One of the few new-build developments in Windsor is Shanly Homes's Thameside - 18 apartments and six duplexes on the River Thames looking over towards Eton. Sizeable open-plan two-bedroom flats perfect for downsizers start from £650,000 (01753 377288; shanlyhomes.com), with off-plan reservations available and a show home open for viewings.

All have integrated kitchen appliances, most have balconies or patios with river or castle views and each has underground parking.

But those seeking added value should look a few miles away in Slough, currently undergoing significant regeneration. The Curve, a flagship library and cultural centre with a theatre and performance space, was opened in 2016 and the Montem Ice Arena refurbished this year.

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Ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's big day we take a look at the other royal couples who have got married at Windsor Castle in the last 150 years.

Work is just finishing on refurbishing the Langley leisure centre, with a swimming pool and gym, and new leisure facilities including 10-pin bowling and high wires are being built at Salt Hill Activity Centre.

Among several new developments is Wexham Green, a collection of 104 two, three and four-bedroom homes in a semi-rural location in Berkshire. All come with fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms while those with garages will have electric car charging points.

Three-bedroom houses start at £495,000 (01753 468578; wexhamgreen.co.uk), with Help To Buy available and an Assisted Move scheme for those with a home to sell. Both can also be used together.

With Paddington less than 20 minutes away by train and Crossrail arriving next year to get passengers to central London's Bond Street in just 32 minutes, Slough may be about to steal the crown from its royal neighbour Windsor.